What is the hybrid car attraction?

Those whom don't believe in hybrid cars seem to believe there is some conspiracy against Americans that is going to force them to buy hybrids.

Don't believe me? Go to Autoweek and check out some forums and you'll hear about how the automotive media is in love with hybrids and how green-activists are trying to force Americans to buy certain cars.

I read a ton of automotive news every day, and very rarely is any of it about hybrids. Pick up almost any issue of any major automotive magazine, and you might find an article or two on hybrids. Often you won't find anything about hybrids.

The only reason there is buzz regarding hybrids is because of hybrid supporters, not the media.

Many of us look around at the world and see gross pollution and we want to do something about it. Many of us look at the problems in the Middle East and we want to do something about it. Many of us look at the corporate greed that decided that it was O.K. to build SUVs on a truck platform, even when rollover was determined to be a serious threat, and we want to do something about it.

Some of us are tired of a world driven by inefficient greed that has only one purpose, not creating the best product possible, but achieving the quickest profit for shareholders.

Freedom of choice, contrary to these conspirators, is about choice. Without hybrids what choice is there?

You can buy a small compact if you are so worried, some might say.

Why?

Why can't I have an efficient sedan, or truck, or SUV? The technology certainly exists.

The original Toyota Prius was a bit of a slug, but the new Prius proves good performance is possible. The release of the Honda Accord hybrid; however, demonstrates that hybrids are not only efficient, but better performers.

The Accord hybrid isn't the only hybrid achieving better performance than it's conventional cousin. The Toyota Highlander hybrid and the Lexus RX400h hybrid, like the Accord hybrid, will also out perform their conventional cousins, while getting almost 30 percent better fuel efficiency.

So where is the conspiracy?

Yes, there is a cost for hybrid technology, but there is no doubt that hybrids are simply better vehicles than non-hybrids. As time goes on, the gap between hybrids and conventional vehicles will widen, to the benefit of hybrids.

Technology, such as computers, has demonstrated one clear fact - it advances. In the short term it is more expensive and complicated, but the gains made in the long run easily recover those initial costs.

Ten years ago, a laptop with the ability to function on a battery for four hours with top notch performance was nothing but a dream. Even if you doubled the price of your computer investment, it was still a dream.

Now that technology is cheaper than a high end desktop of 10 years ago, but with performance that would have been a dream just 10 years ago.

That's why it's called an investment. Oil shortages, oil wars, pollution, global warming, etc. are all reasons to invest in new technology. Many have said wait until fuel cells arrive. Right now it costs almost 1,000,000 to create one fuel-cell powered car. How long can we wait, forever?

It costs a few extra grand to make a hybrid, and hybrid technology is still emerging. GM's two-mode hybrid technology promises the possibility of 60 percent more efficient hybrid Tahoes, Yukons, and Sierras.

That's not worth a few extra grand?

As the old adage goes the only certain thing in life is change.

Assuming a decades old truck platform could drive the automotive future was not only stupid, but dangerous for American auto manufacturers, and more importantly, dangerous for Americans.

Hybrid cars are not some green wet dream, they are simply better cars than conventional cars.

Get over it. Change is inevitable.